Onomatopoeia is a rhetorical device that involves using words to imitate real-life sounds, establishing a direct connection between the sound and its linguistic representation. It serves to enhance expressiveness and bring writing to life, enabling the reader to “hear” what is being described.
For instance, words like “tic-tac” to mimic the sound of a clock, or “boom” for the explosion of a firecracker are examples of onomatopoeia.
This rhetorical device is commonly employed in literature, comics, and other media to evoke auditory sensations and stimulate the reader’s imagination.
